Reflection 2

After the presentation and meeting, Perlie and I have discussed for several times and made some revise. During the meeting, the professor pointed out that our subtitles are not consistent. Therefore, we try hard to name every part of our presentation consistently. One of our flaws is the lack of structure. The informations are various but hard to connect with each other, so we made every effort to organize them. We put the school part and the company part respectively. And we summarize our statements to consistent points after that. It spent us lots of time that we understand how hard can things be well-organized. Lastly, we show our ideas by drama and it really help to draw attention.  

Final Paper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uniforms：Take it off or Not

 

Joanne Huang

 

National Central University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

In Taiwan’s high schools, most of us have to wear uniforms at school. And in Japan, it has transformed into sort of fashion. Besides, some of American high schools started to have uniforms. Therefore, in this essay, I am going to argue the advantages of wearing uniforms in the points of view of students and schools. Also, it will extend to uniforms in companies. Uniforms at schools and in companies have different meanings. I will analyze how it work to have a uniform. Furthermore, I have taken difference of cultures and backgrounds into consideration, which affects uniforms. Lastly, I point out the factors of uniform to explain that uniforms are necessary to exist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uniforms：Take it off or Not

 

I support the ideas of wearing uniforms and following the dress code. There are a spectrum of advantages for these standards. Firstly, the school can create a good atmosphere for learning. Also, students might view uniforms as work clothes and take the school more seriously. For schools, wearing uniforms not only instills unity and pride but promotes school spirit and good self-image. What’s more important, uniforms make students look equal which break down the barriers between different socioeconomic groups. Furthermore, students’ wearing with low- fashion sense are usually mocked at by the fashionable ones, so I think that wearing uniforms can decline the possibilities of bullies. Besides, it probably solves gang problems because students will behave more cautiously wearing school uniforms.

 

From the perspectives of students, some are proud of their schools and some gain a sense of security by wearing uniforms. You might state that some low- ranked schools’ uniforms, ugly uniforms and worn-out ones will easily be biased. As the matter of fact that students stay at school mostly, at least they will feel at ease entering the gate. My suggestion is: No one will look down on you unless you look down on yourself first. 

 

The most crucial reason to wear uniforms is that it is economical. For girls who often lots of time deciding what to wear and parents who worried about the expense of clothes, it is a good choice.

 

Dress code is something related to uniforms and catch students’ eyes.

I was studied in a high school for girls, which institutes various dress code in a strict way. One of my friends always tried hard to disobey the dress code by wearing colorful socks or tight-fitting pants to show her style.

Recently, there was news that students in Kaposvar University in Hungary protested against the dress code by wearing underwear to courses.  

In my opinions, I don’t totally agree their actions because dress code is a necessary norm to make people fit the society and identify their roles.

 

In the early times of America, people thought that wearing uniforms violated the spirit of freedom. However, due to economic depression, parents stand out and support the ideas of wearing uniforms. Also, selecting the styles, colors and patterns of uniforms may be a hot subjects among students.

 

In fact, there are more and more schools in America start to take the measures of wearing school uniforms.

“A shirt, tie and blazer may not be the ingredients for my favorite outfit, but if I were given the choice, I wouldn't throw away the idea of school uniform.” Said Chloe Spencer, a 15-year-old American student.

 

Claire Howlette, an English teacher, agrees: "Uniforms give students a sense of belonging to a particular school and create an identity for the school in the community."

 

To conclude, wearing uniforms and following dress code have nothing to do with restraining creativity but produce a new way of life. 

 

Should High School’s Students Wear Uniforms?

When it comes to uniforms in various, adorable styles, we may think of Japanese uniforms. Obviously, wearing uniforms has become a kind of culture in Japan as schools characterize them in different aspects, which makes students unique and stylish. Japanese students often view their uniforms as fashion. Probably, you will ask why do uniforms mean a lot in Japan ? Let me offer you some reasons.

             

Firstly, Japanese uniforms have a spectrum of styles with exquisite patterns, including spots, strips, falbalas , etc. The classic one is the sailor dress which is commonly seen in Japan. Nowadays, there are many stores having uniforms custom-made. You will probably wonder how can uniforms be custom-made since every school has their own uniform and dress code. However, everyone has different figures. Furthermore, reforming uniforms in the small parts obeying dress code can be an unexpected cracker. I found an ad of Japanese custom-made uniform shop, which accentuates their variety and elaboration of uniforms. We can also see responders’ comments below. It seems that most of them appreciate Japanese uniform and hope that they’ll have a chance to wear them.

 

Besides, Japan has special subculture, for instance, comic book industry. Usually, the background bases on schools in most of the comic books which is related to uniforms. Wearing uniforms not only manifests the racial characteristics but produces lots of imagination.

 

Many Japanese schools use their graceful uniforms to recruit students. Therefore, they often launch an activity of designing uniforms. This challenges the idea that wearing uniforms limits students’ creativity.

 

These reasons may clear up why uniforms mean a lot to students in Japan

 

A Craze for Uniforms

Actually, since 1980, sailor dress has become a public frenzy in Japan. The concept that sailor dress is equal to high school girl emerged simultaneously. Fuji Television Network even launched a program called “Nightfall Meow Meow ” (黃昏喵喵) inviting various high school girls as idols. The time watching the show was a clear memory to contemporary Japanese people. In 1986, Onyanko Club (小貓俱樂部) originated from the program became the most popular girl’s group, which promoted series of songs characterizing the “sailor dress” and “high school periods”.

 

How do people feel about the sailor dress as it is in the spotlight? In Sakai Junko’s (酒井順子) book “Uniform Introduction”, she points out several reasons why she loves uniforms. One of them is that she never experiences it, which causes a strong desire to have one. Another is that wearing uniforms is attractive and adorable. The other is that the uniform is a symbol of restriction and in some ways it can also be a pleasant thing. Sakai Junko comes up with some intriguing ideas. She states that the happiness of wearing uniforms lies in the compelling force, deprivation of freedom and the sense of grievance aroused by oppression. Furthermore, the most important thing is that wearing uniform has a deadline as well as your high school life, which makes it memorable.

Probably many students dislike wearing uniforms due to its frame and constraint. However, if there is no rules, how can we break it or innovate something to gain a sense of achievement? Society needs norms, and that’s why uniforms are necessary to exist.

 

Uniform has Rooted in Our Life

Uniforms have different important meanings in the aspects of the school and society.

 

In Japanese writer, Junko Sakai’s Book, I find out five symbols of the uniform for students : youth, privilege, period, constraint and a sense of belonging.

 

Youth is a priceless treasure to everyone because you can never get back to your childhood. Young people gain some privileges that they’re freer to do what they want with less responsibilities. For example, they can fall in love without the pressure of marriage and develop hobbies instead of working for money. Speaking of uniforms, the symbol of constraint comes into our mind. As I have mentioned in annotation 3, the constraint can also be a pleasant thing depending on how you feel about uniforms. And a sense of belonging might be a positive feeling. When students are wearing the uniforms, they are one of a group, a part of the community.

 

Not only Japan but Taiwan has a craze for uniform and desire of youth. There’re also rules and norms everywhere. For instance, the popular band in Taiwan, Mayday has a song call “And I Know it” (而我知道) . In this MV, they tell their love stories happened in the high school periods. It accounts for the traits of uniform : youth, privilege, period, constraint and a sense of belonging. Wearing the uniform, Mayday expresses feelings in that story by singing. Uniforms act as a symbol of memories including happiness and sadness.

 

According to the essay “The Preference and Perception of Uniform Colors on Corporate Image”, uniforms act as a tool of communication in organizational culture that it transforms different individuals into a group of people to help enterprises’ employees identify their roles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, I certainly think that uniforms are our identifications. We wear it to identify the roles we play at schools or in companies. Knowing yourself better will help build relationships with others. We can see that wearing uniforms benefits ourselves. Also it provides status, norms and discipline, which benefits the environment. Although it may act as constraint and oppression of creativity sometimes, we can not deny that it’s necessary to exist. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Blogger宅宅的一萬個為什麼, 水手服概論：(1)迷戀制服的原因是什麼？, Retrieved

December, 10, 2013 http://howtobeaotaku.blogspot.tw/2012/05/1.html

Chia-Ju Sui, The Preference and Perception of Uniform Colors on Corporate Image-The

        Female Uniform of Finance and Stock Companies as an Example (2005)

7blog http://blog.7-11.com.tw/diary.aspx?id=35

youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv3HOUMEPiw

       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkK4M-RvyZQ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Transcription

Transcription             

 

Hello everyone, I’m Joanne. I support the ideas of wearing uniforms

Joanne, why do you support the idea of wearing uniforms?

Ok, let me show you a little drama.

Hi Perlie, your shirt looks so lovely.

You say this one

Yes.

Actually my mom bought it for me in Japan for 6000 dollars

So expensive!

Oh, look at your sweater, what’s that? It’s that from garbage?

No, actually this sweater is which my mom bought it for me yesterday. And it just costs her 100 dollars.

That’s cheap! But it’s so ugly!

Why don’t our school just have uniforms? It won’t let me be laughed like this

I will talk about the advantages of wearing uniforms. There are a spectrum of advantages for these standards. Firstly, the school can create a good atmosphere for learning. Also, students might view uniforms as work clothes and take the school more seriously. For schools, wearing uniforms not only instills unity and pride but promotes school spirit and good self-image. Besides, it probably solves gang problems because students will behave more cautiously wearing school uniforms.

The most crucial reason to wear uniforms is that it is economical. For girls who often lots of time deciding what to wear and parents who worried about the expense of clothes, it is a good choice.

 

Another potential reason is that uniforms make students look equal which break down the barriers between different socioeconomic groups. Furthermore, students’ wearing with low- fashion sense are usually mocked at by the fashionable ones, so I think that wearing uniforms can decline the possibilities of bullies.

 

From the perspectives of students, some are proud of their schools and some gain a sense of security by wearing uniforms. You might state that some low- ranked schools’ uniforms, ugly uniforms and worn-out ones will easily be biased. As the matter of fact that students stay at school mostly, at least they will feel at ease entering the gate. Therefore, don’t define success only by the uniform, you can also make advantage of it.

 

Actually, since 1980, sailor dress has become a public frenzy in Japan. The concept that sailor dress is equal to high school girl emerged simultaneously. Fuji Television Network even launched a program called “Nightfall Meow Meow ” (黃昏喵喵)

 

inviting various high school girls as idols. The time watching the show was a clear memory to contemporary Japanese people. In 1986, Onyanko Club (小貓俱樂部) originated from the program became the most popular girl’s group, which promoted series of songs characterizing the “sailor dress” and “high school periods”.

 

How do the sailor dress be in the spotlight?

In Japanese writer, Junko Sakai’s Book, I find out five symbols of the uniform for students : youth, privilege, period, constraint and a sense of belonging.

 

Youth is a priceless treasure to everyone because you can never get back to your childhood. Young people gain some privileges that they’re freer to do what they want with less responsibilities. For example, they can fall in love without the pressure of marriage and develop hobbies instead of working for money. Furthermore, the most important thing is that wearing uniform has a deadline as well as your high school life, which makes it memorable.

Speaking of uniforms, the symbol of constraint comes into our mind. However, Sakai Junko comes up with some intriguing ideas. She states that the happiness of wearing uniforms lies in the compelling force, deprivation of freedom and the sense of grievance aroused by oppression. The constraint can also be a pleasant thing when you recall the period of school life. And a sense of belonging might be a positive feeling. When students are wearing the uniforms, they are one of a group, a part of the community.

I’ll take High Speed Rail for example. You can see their orange style of uniform. It express the idea of profession. And it’s also fashion and comfortable. Their core concept is attitude, passion and beauty, which fit the image the company wants to express. When you go to take the High Speed Rail, You see their uniforms. And their service will be expressed on their uniforms. And another example is Starbucks. Starbucks has a basic dress code, which is not very strict because you can wear your own shirts but you have to wear a green apron and a black hat. Their employee has gain a sense of identity because you can see they feel at east and they are proud of their jobs to serve a good coffee for you.

What is uniform? My opinion is that uniform is your ID at schools and in companies. We wear it to identify the roles we play at schools or in companies. Knowing yourself better will help build relationships with others.

Transcription 2

Transcription            

Hello everyone, I’m Joanne. I support the ideas of wearing uniforms

Joanne, why do you support the idea of wearing uniforms?

Ok, let me show you a little drama.

Hi Perlie, your shirt looks so lovely.

You say this one

Yes.

Actually my mom bought it for me in Japan for 6000 dollars

So expensive!

Oh, look at your sweater, what’s that? It’s that from garbage?

No, actually this sweater is which my mom bought it for me yesterday. And it just costs her 100 dollars.

That’s cheap! But it’s so ugly!

Why don’t our school just have uniforms? It won’t let me be laughed like this

I will talk about the advantages of wearing uniforms. There are a spectrum of advantages for these standards. Firstly, the school can create a good atmosphere for learning. Also, students might view uniforms as work clothes and take the school more seriously. For schools, wearing uniforms not only instills unity and pride but promotes school spirit and good self-image. Besides, it probably solves gang problems because students will behave more cautiously wearing school uniforms.

The most crucial reason to wear uniforms is that it is economical. For girls who often lots of time deciding what to wear and parents who worried about the expense of clothes, it is a good choice.

 

Another potential reason is that uniforms make students look equal which break down the barriers between different socioeconomic groups. Furthermore, students’ wearing with low- fashion sense are usually mocked at by the fashionable ones, so I think that wearing uniforms can decline the possibilities of bullies.

 

From the perspectives of students, some are proud of their schools and some gain a sense of security by wearing uniforms. You might state that some low- ranked schools’ uniforms, ugly uniforms and worn-out ones will easily be biased. As the matter of fact that students stay at school mostly, at least they will feel at ease entering the gate. Therefore, don’t define success only by the uniform, you can also make advantage of it.

 

Actually, since 1980, sailor dress has become a public frenzy in Japan. The concept that sailor dress is equal to high school girl emerged simultaneously. Fuji Television Network even launched a program called “Nightfall Meow Meow ” (黃昏喵喵)

 

inviting various high school girls as idols. The time watching the show was a clear memory to contemporary Japanese people. In 1986, Onyanko Club (小貓俱樂部) originated from the program became the most popular girl’s group, which promoted series of songs characterizing the “sailor dress” and “high school periods”.

 

How do the sailor dress be in the spotlight?

In Japanese writer, Junko Sakai’s Book, I find out five symbols of the uniform for students : youth, privilege, period, constraint and a sense of belonging.

 

Youth is a priceless treasure to everyone because you can never get back to your childhood. Young people gain some privileges that they’re freer to do what they want with less responsibilities. For example, they can fall in love without the pressure of marriage and develop hobbies instead of working for money. Furthermore, the most important thing is that wearing uniform has a deadline as well as your high school life, which makes it memorable.

Speaking of uniforms, the symbol of constraint comes into our mind. However, Sakai Junko comes up with some intriguing ideas. She states that the happiness of wearing uniforms lies in the compelling force, deprivation of freedom and the sense of grievance aroused by oppression. The constraint can also be a pleasant thing when you recall the period of school life. And a sense of belonging might be a positive feeling. When students are wearing the uniforms, they are one of a group, a part of the community.

I’ll take High Speed Rail for example. You can see their orange style of uniform. It express the idea of profession. And it’s also fashion and comfortable. Their core concept is attitude, passion and beauty, which fit the image the company wants to express. When you go to take the High Speed Rail, You see their uniforms. And their service will be expressed on their uniforms. And another example is Starbucks. Starbucks has a basic dress code, which is not very strict because you can wear your own shirts but you have to wear a green apron and a black hat. Their employee has gain a sense of identity because you can see they feel at east and they are proud of their jobs to serve a good coffee for you.

What is uniform? My opinion is that uniform is your ID at schools and in companies. We wear it to identify the roles we play at schools or in companies. Knowing yourself better will help build relationships with others.

Final Transcription

Hello everyone, I’m Joanne. I support the ideas of wearing uniforms

Joanne, why do you support the idea of wearing uniforms?

Ok, let me show you a little drama.

Hi Perlie, your shirt looks so lovely.

You say this one

Yes.

Actually my mom bought it for me in Japan for 6000 dollars

So expensive!

Oh, look at your sweater, what’s that? It’s that from garbage?

No, actually this sweater is which my mom bought it for me yesterday. And it just costs her 100 dollars.

That’s cheap! But it’s so ugly!

Why don’t our school just have uniforms? It won’t let me be laughed like this

I will talk about the advantages of wearing uniforms. There are a spectrum of advantages for these standards. Firstly, the school can create a good atmosphere for learning. Also, students might view uniforms as work clothes and take the school more seriously. For schools, wearing uniforms not only instills unity and pride but promotes school spirit and good self-image. Besides, it probably solves gang problems because students will behave more cautiously wearing school uniforms.

The most crucial reason to wear uniforms is that it is economical. For girls who often lots of time deciding what to wear and parents who worried about the expense of clothes, it is a good choice.

 

Another potential reason is that uniforms make students look equal which break down the barriers between different socioeconomic groups. Furthermore, students’ wearing with low- fashion sense are usually mocked at by the fashionable ones, so I think that wearing uniforms can decline the possibilities of bullies.

 

From the perspectives of students, some are proud of their schools and some gain a sense of security by wearing uniforms. You might state that some low- ranked schools’ uniforms, ugly uniforms and worn-out ones will easily be biased. As the matter of fact that students stay at school mostly, at least they will feel at ease entering the gate. Therefore, don’t define success only by the uniform, you can also make advantage of it.

 

Actually, since 1980, sailor dress has become a public frenzy in Japan. The concept that sailor dress is equal to high school girl emerged simultaneously. Fuji Television Network even launched a program called “Nightfall Meow Meow ” (黃昏喵喵)

 

inviting various high school girls as idols. The time watching the show was a clear memory to contemporary Japanese people. In 1986, Onyanko Club (小貓俱樂部) originated from the program became the most popular girl’s group, which promoted series of songs characterizing the “sailor dress” and “high school periods”.

 

How do the sailor dress be in the spotlight?

In Japanese writer, Junko Sakai’s Book, I find out five symbols of the uniform for students : youth, privilege, period, constraint and a sense of belonging.

 

Youth is a priceless treasure to everyone because you can never get back to your childhood. Young people gain some privileges that they’re freer to do what they want with less responsibilities. For example, they can fall in love without the pressure of marriage and develop hobbies instead of working for money. Furthermore, the most important thing is that wearing uniform has a deadline as well as your high school life, which makes it memorable.

Speaking of uniforms, the symbol of constraint comes into our mind. However, Sakai Junko comes up with some intriguing ideas. She states that the happiness of wearing uniforms lies in the compelling force, deprivation of freedom and the sense of grievance aroused by oppression. The constraint can also be a pleasant thing when you recall the period of school life. And a sense of belonging might be a positive feeling. When students are wearing the uniforms, they are one of a group, a part of the community.

I’ll take High Speed Rail for example. You can see their orange style of uniform. It express the idea of profession. And it’s also fashion and comfortable. Their core concept is attitude, passion and beauty, which fit the image the company wants to express. When you go to take the High Speed Rail, You see their uniforms. And their service will be expressed on their uniforms. And another example is Starbucks. Starbucks has a basic dress code, which is not very strict because you can wear your own shirts but you have to wear a green apron and a black hat. Their employee has gain a sense of identity because you can see they feel at east and they are proud of their jobs to serve a good coffee for you.

What is uniform? My opinion is that uniform is your ID at schools and in companies. We wear it to identify the roles we play at schools or in companies. Knowing yourself better will help build relationships with others.

Annotation 3 revise

A Craze for Uniform

     

          


          Actually, since 1980, sailor dress has become a public frenzy in Japan. The concept that sailor dress is equal to high school girl emerged simultaneously. Fuji Television Network even launched a program called “Nightfall Meow Meow ” (

黃昏喵喵) inviting various high school girls as idols. The time watching the show was a clear memory to contemporary Japanese people. In 1986, Onyanko Club (小貓俱樂部) originated from the program became the most popular girl’s group, which promoted series of songs characterizing the “sailor dress” and “high school periods”.

          How do people feel about the sailor dress as it is in the spotlight? In Sakai Junko’s (酒井順子) book “Uniform Introduction”, she points out several reasons why she loves uniforms. One of them is that she never experiences it, which causes a strong desire to have one. Another is that wearing uniforms is attractive and adorable. The other is that the uniform is a symbol of restriction and in some ways it can also be a pleasant thing. Sakai Junko comes up with some intriguing ideas. She states that the happiness of wearing uniforms lies in the compelling force, deprivation of freedom and the sense of grievance aroused by oppression. Furthermore, the most important thing is that wearing uniform has a deadline as well as your high school life, which makes it memorable.
Probably many students dislike wearing uniforms due to its frame and constraint. However, if there is no rules, how can we break it or innovate something to gain a sense of achievement? Society needs norms, and that’s why uniforms are necessary to exist.

 

Annotation 4 revise

  Uniform has Rooted in Our Life

 

 

            Uniforms have different important meanings in the aspects of the school and society.

            In Japanese writer, Junko Sakai’s Book, I find out five symbols of the uniform for students : youth, privilege, period, constraint and a sense of belonging.

 

            Youth is a priceless treasure to everyone because you can never get back to your childhood. Young people gain some privileges that they’re freer to do what they want with less responsibilities. For example, they can fall in love without the pressure of marriage and develop hobbies instead of working for money. Speaking of uniforms, the symbol of constraint comes into our mind. As I have mentioned in annotation 3, the constraint can also be a pleasant thing depending on how you feel about uniforms. And a sense of belonging might be a positive feeling. When students are wearing the uniforms, they are one of a group, a part of the community.

           Not only Japan but Taiwan has a craze for uniform and desire of youth. There’re also rules and norms everywhere. For instance, the popular band in Taiwan, Mayday has a song call “And I Know it” (而我知道) . In this MV, they tell their love stories happened in the high school periods. It accounts for the traits of uniform : youth, privilege, period, constraint and a sense of belonging. Wearing the uniform, Mayday expresses feelings in that story by singing. Uniforms act as a symbol of memories including happiness and sadness.

 

           According to the essay “The Preference and Perception of Uniform Colors on Corporate Image”, uniforms act as a tool of communication in organizational culture that it transforms different individuals into a group of people to help enterprises’ employees identify their roles.

 

 

 

          Take 7-11 for example, their uniforms from the previous one to the latter one convey some informations to their customers. 7-11 tries to create a friendly image to attract people to enter as it originates from a traditional grocery store. Also, the uniform is eco-friendly because each of them is made of 12 bottles by recycling. The color of their uniforms is eye-catching including red, orange, and green. They express the productive, green, passionate images. What’s the most important is that you can recognize the clerks at the first time and enjoy their services. Obviously, 7-11 has created a successful image by their uniforms.   

 

references:

 

Blogger宅宅的一萬個為什麼, 水手服概論：(1)迷戀制服的原因是什麼？, Retrieved December, 10, 2013          http://howtobeaotaku.blogspot.tw/2012/05/1.html

 

7blog http://blog.7-11.com.tw/diary.aspx?id=35

 

Chia-Ju Sui, The Preference and Perception of Uniform Colors on Corporate Image-The Female Uniform of Finance and Stock Companies as an Example (2005)

 

youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv3HOUMEPiw